Quick-make and quick-break switc



April 10, 1928. 1,665,529

F. LE G. BRYANT QUICK MAKE AND QUICK BREAK SWITCH Filed March 10, 1927 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Apr. 10, 1928.

U ITED STATES PATENT orrice .I'OBRIII LI own BRYANT, OI J'OHmN CITY, NEWYORK, LBSIGNOB BRYANT morale mnmm'ron CORPORATION, 01' wnmmo'ror,DELAWARE, A 0on- PORA'IIOH OI DELAWARE.

omen-arm m colon-annex swnc' Applleatlon fled larch 10, 1827. Serial Io.174,858.

The invention relates to electrical switches designed primarily for usein the refrigerant circulating systems of electrical refrigerators, aresure-controlled device known to the tra e as a pressure-stat beingcommonly employed for actuating the switch to control the electricmotor.

It is the principal object of the invention to rovide a new and improvedquick-make and quick-break switch which is rather simple andinexpensive,ma be easily adjusted to either make or brea contact when desired, andwill be proof against arcing.

With the foregoing and minor objects in view, the invention resides inthe novel subject matter hereinafter described and claimed, thedescription being supplemented by the accompan ing drawings.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly in section of a switch constructed inaccordance with my invention, the carrier for the movable contact beingshown in readiness for rapid movement to switch-closed position.

Fig. 2 is .a view similar to a portion of Fig. 1, but illustrating theswitch closed.

Fig. 3 is a duplicate of Fig. 2, with the exception that the parts areshown in switchopen position.

The form of construction illustrated in the accompan ing drawings willbe rather specifically escribed, with the understandmg however, thatwithin the scope of the invention as claimed, numerous variations may bemade.

The numeral 5 designates a horizontal support, upon which apressure-stat 6 and a housing 7 therefor, are mounted, and 8 denotes apressure-pi leading to the pressure-stat for contro ling the expansionand contraction of the latter.

A horizontal lever 9 is fulcrumed at 10 upon the housing 7 and issuitably connected at 11 with the upper end of the pressure-stat 6,whereby upward movement of the lever is effected when the pressure-statexpands, and downward movement of said lever is caused upon contractionof said pressure-stat. In order to produce steady movement of the lever,the usual or any preferred stabilizer 12 is associated therewith.

Suitably connected with the support 5 or otherwise mounted under thefree end of the lever 9, is an insulating support 13 upon which a cup 14of glass or other insulating material rests, said cu containing aquantlty of mercury 15 an a covering 16 of oil for said mercury toprevent arcing as a movable contact ll enters or leaves the mercury.Preferably, a metal strip 18 extends across the bottom of the cup 14,extends upwardl at 19 at the inner side of the cup wall, is then bentoutwardly across the upper edge of this wall as at 20, and extendsdownwardly at 21, at the outer side of the wall, the lower ends of thesedownwardly pro ect1ng portions being bent outwardly at 22 and formedwith o nings to receive fasteners 23, by means of which the strip endsmay be secured to the support or base 13,

thereby serving to secure the cup effectivelyupon said base. Moreover,the metallic strip acts as a conductor of electricity, between themercury 15 and one of the necessar wires 24, one of the fasteners'23being pre erably utilized as a binding post for this wire. The otherwire 25 may be suitably connected with the movable contact 17.

A carrier 26 is provided for the movable contact 17 said carrier beinghere shown in.

the horizontal arm 29 of the bell crank maymove vertically toward orfrom the stationary contact means above described. To limit the movementof the carrier 26 with respect to the lever 9, upper and lower stops 30and 31 have been shown, mounted upon a vertical shank 32 whose upper endmay be secured to the lever 9 by means of an appro riate bracket 33.

cans are provided for rapidly completing the movement of the carrier 26either toward switch-closed or switch-openposition, when said carrierhas been moved with respect to the lever 9, to a redetermined POSltiOIl,and provision is ma e for moving the carrier 26 to said predeterminedposition, as said lever swings toward or from the stationary contactmeans.

In the present showing, the vertical arm 34 of the contact carrier 26,is rovided with a track 35 elongated in a irection transverse to thepivot or fulcrum 28. This track embodies two cams 36 and 36 convergingto a crest 37. A spring-actuated shoe is co-operable with the track 35to rapidly complete the movement of the carrier 26 in either direction,when it has been moved into the relation with the lever 9, shown inFig. 1. In the present embod1- ment of the invention, 38 denotes aroller co-operable with the track 35 and mounted on an arm 39, this armbeing pivoted at 40 to a standard 41 secured to the lever 9. A. coilspring 42 is shown, connecting the arm 39 with the lever 9 to forciblyhold the roller against the track 35. When the switch stands closed asseen in Fig. 2 and the lever 9 swings downwardly under the action of thepressure-stat 6, the car1'ier'26 1s gradually rocked to the positionshown 1n FIg. 1, the cam 36 in the. meantime raising the arm 39 againstthe action of the spring 42 and placing the latter under'additionaltension. Hence, as soon as the crest 37 moves avery slight amount past adead-center position, the spring 42 will downwardly snap the arm 39,causing the roller 38 to co-act with the cam 36, in rapidly swinging thecarrier 26 to the position of Fig. 3, thereby quickly opening theswitch, as shown in this last named view. During upward swinging of thelever 9, the contact carrier 26 is moved to the position of Fig. 1, sothat the roller 38 and the cam 36 will at the proper time, co-operate inrapidly swinging said carrier to the switch-closed position of Fig. 2.In this position, the carrier end 29 engages the stop 31, and said endcontacts with the stop 30, when the carrier moves to the switch-openposition of Fig. 3. 1

The means for moving the carrier 26 into the relation with the lever 9,shown in Fig. 1, preferably embodies upper and lower trips 43-44, and alateral lug 45 on the carrier .26, the lug being positioned between thetrips, as shown. These trips are stationar1- ly mounted, beingpreferably in the form of screws threaded adjustably through portions ofan appropriate carrying standard or the like 46, rising from the support5. The trips or screws 43-44 may be adjusted to cause opening or closingof the switch at predetermined points of the travel of the lever 9, andthey may be locked in adjusted position by suitable'means, such as thelock nuts 43 and 44.

As the lever 9 descends from the position of Fig. 2, the lug 45 willengage the lower trip 44 and hence the carrler 26 will be gradually swunto the position at which the track 35 an the co-acting shoe, act torapidly complete the switch-opening movement of said carrier. Similarly,upon upward movement from the switch-open position of Fig. 3, efiectedby upward swinging of the lever 9, the lug 45 will engage the upper trip43 and hence said lug and trip will co-operate in swinging, the carrier26 with respect to said lever 9 to the point at which the coacting shoeand track wili, function to rapidly complete the switch-010sing movementof the carrier.

As excellent results may be obtained from the general constructionherein disclosed, it may be followed if desired. However, the presentdisclosure is for illustrative purposes only, and within the scope ofthe invention as claimed, variations may be made, as above stated.

I claim 1. A quick make and quick break switch comprising stationarycontact means, a member mounted for movement toward or from said contactmeans, a movable contact for co-action with said stationary contactmeans, a carrier for said movable contact, means mounting said carrieron said member for movement with respect thereto toward or from saidstationary contact means, means for rapidly completing the movement ofsaid carrier in either direction upon movement thereof to apredetermined position with respect to said member, and means forautomatically moving said carrier to said redetermined position as theaforesaid mem er is moved toward or from said stationary contact means.

2. A quick make and quick break switch comprising stationary contactmeans, a member mounted for movement toward or from said contact means,a movable contact for co-action with said stationary contact means, acarrier for said movable contact, means mounting said carrier on saidmember for movement with respect thereto toward or from said stationarycontact means,

.means for rapidly completing the movement of said carrier in eitherdirection upon movement thereof to a predetermined position with respectto said member, and two stationary trips for effecting movement of saidcarrier to ,said predetermined position, said trips being individuallyactive on said carrier as the latter is moved by the afore said member;

3. quick make and quick break switch comprising stationary contactmeans, a member mounted for movement toward or from said contact means,a movable contact for co-action with said stationary contact means, acarrier for said movable contact, means pivoting said carrier to saidmember for movement with respect thereto toward or from said stationarycontact means, sprin -actuated means for rapidly complet- "ing t emovement of said carrier in either direction upon movement thereof to apredetermined position with respect to said member, and means forautomaticall moving said carrier to said predetermine position as saidmember is moved toward or from the stationary contact means.

4. A quick make and quick break switch comprising stationary contactmeans, a

member mounted for movement toward or from said contact means, a movablecontact for eo-action with said stationary contact means, a earner forsaid movable convidually active on said carrier as the latteris moved bythe aforesaid member.

5. A quick make and quick break switch comprising stationary contactmeans, a

. member mounted for movement toward or from said contact means, amovable contact for co-action withsaid stationary contact means, acarrier for said movable con tact, means mounting said carrier on saidmember for movement with respect there-to toward or from said stationarycontact means, said carrier being provided with a track which moveslongitudinally as the carrier moves with respectto said member, a shoemovably mounted on said member but stationary with respect to saidlongitudinal movement of the track, spring means forcibly holding theshoe against the track, the latter having two cams individuallycooperable with the shoe to rapidly complete movement of the carrierwhen the latter is moved to a predetermined position with re spect tothe aforesaid member, and means for automatically moving said carrier tosaid predetermined position as said member is moved toward or from saidstationary contact means.

6. A quick make and quick break switch comprising stationary contactmeans, a member mounted for movement toward or from said contact means,a movable con-' tact for co-action with said stationary contact means, acarrier for said movable contact, means mounting said carrier on saidmember for movement with respect thereto toward or from said stationarycontact means, said carrier being provided with a track which moveslongitudinally as the carrier moves with respect to said member, ashoemovably mounted on said member but stationary with respect to saidlongitudinal movement of the track, spring means forcibly holding theshoe against the track, the latter having two cams individuallycooperable with the shoe to rapidly complete movement of the carrierwhen the latter is moved to a predetermined position with respect to theaforesaid member, and two stationary trips for effecting movement ofsaid carrier to said predetermined position, said trips beingindividually a ctrve on said carrier as the latter is moved by theaforesaid member, j

7. A quick make and quick break switch comprising stationary contactmeans, .a member mounted for movement toward or from'said contact means,a movable contact for eo-action with said stationary contact means, acarrier for said movable contact, means pivoting said carrier to saidmember for-movement with respect thereto toward or from said stationarycontact means, said carrier being provided with a track transverse tothe axis of its pivotal mounting means and hence moved longitudinally asthe carrier moves with respect to said-member, a shoe movably mounted onsaid member but stationary with respect 'to' said longitudinalmovement'of thetrack, spring means forcibly holding the shoe against thetrack, the latter having twocams individually co-operable with the shoetorapidly complete movement of the carrier when the latter is moved to apredetermined position with respect to the aforesaid member, and meansfor automatically moving said carrier to said predetermined position assaid member is moved toward or from said stationary contact means.

8. A structure as specified in claim 2; said trips having means wherebythey may be relatively adjusted toward or from each other to permitactuation of the switch by desired movement of the aforesaid member.

9. A structure as specified in claim 7; said trips having means wherebythey may be relatively adjusted toward or from each other to permitactuation of the switch by desired movement of the aforesaid member.

'10. A pressure controlled switch comprising stat-ionarily mountedcontact means, a lever mounted for movement toward and from said contactmeans, a pressure-controlled device for so moving said lever, a

contact carrier movably mounted on said lever for movement with respectthereto toward or from said contact means, means, for rapidly completingthe movement of said carrier in either direction after movement thereofto a predetermined position with respect to the lever, means forautomatically moving said carrier to said predetermined position as theaforesaid lever is moved in one direction or the other, and a' movablecontact carried by said carrier for co-action with said stationarycontact means.

11-. A pressure controlled switch comprising a stationarily mounted cupcontaining mercury covered with oil, a lever mounted for verticalmovement toward and'from the open top of said cup, a pressure-controlleddevice for so moving the lever, a contact carrier movably mounted onsaid lever for movement with respect thereto toward or from said opentop of the cup, a vertically elongated movable contact carried by saidcarrier for movement into or from the aforesaid mercury, means forrapidly completing the movement of said carrier in either directionafter movement thereof to a predetermined position with respect to thelever, and means for automatically moving said carrier to saidpredetermined position as the aforesaid lever is moved in one directionor the other.

12. In a switch contact, an insulating cup to contain mercury, and stripmetal extendcury-containing portion, the lower end of the strip metalbeing laterally bent and apertured to receive a fastener by nieans ofwhich the cup and strip metal may be held upon a support.

' In testimony' whereof I have hereunto affixed my signatlire. I

-FORREST LE GRAND BRYANT.

